The world of cricket was left reeling today following allegations of a betting scam focused on the current England and Pakistan Test match.

IRELAND are relishing the chance to further upset the odds when they face Pakistan in the third Group D match of Cricket World Cup 2007 today at Sabina Park, following their morale-lifting tie against Zimbabwe.

INJURY-HIT Pakistan suffered a fresh blow when coach Bob Woolmer said opening batsman Shoaib Malik was doubtful for the entire Test series against England.

KABIR ALI’s brave rearguard fell agonisingly short of pulling off an improbable victory as England lost their one-day series to Pakistan via a 13-run margin in a thrilling match at Rawalpindi yesterday.

England were unable to make a much-needed breakthrough as Pakistan consolidated a slim first-innings advantage by moving to 50 without loss in their second innings at lunch on day four of the second Test in Faisalabad.